Friday, September 8, 2017

Today in Soap Opera History (September 8)

1969: Where the Heart Is premiered. 1983: Paul's fiancée
died on The Young and the Restless. 1986: Ilene Kristen
returned to Ryan's Hope as Delia. 2009: General Hospital's Edward passed out at the wheel of his car as it
approached the carnival.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966:Star Trek premiered on NBC. Among the many memorable guest stars in the series that also starred on daytime soaps were Kathryn Hays, Michael Forest, Marj Dusay, Michael Zaslow, Glenn Corbett, Gary Pillar and Mary Linda Rapelye.

1968: The New York Times featured CBS daytime soap opera As the World Turns on its front page. Read the article here.

Where the Heart Is

1969: Daytime soap opera Where the Heart Is, set in the fictional town of Northcross, premiered on CBS. The show, which centered on the Hathaway family, was created by Lou Scofield and Margaret DePriest, who were the original head writers. They were replaced by Pat Falken Smith and later Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer before CBS canceled the series in 1973, and replaced it with The Young and the Restless.

In the first episode, Kate Hathaway (Diana van der Vlis) was mourning the recent death of her tyrant father, Judge Daniel Hathaway. However, her brother, Julian Hathaway (James Mitchell), a widowed English professor, was rejoicing over the old man's death, which he had fantasized about since boyhood.

1981: On Guiding Light, Diane Ballard (Sofia Landon) threatened to expose the truth about Phillip Spaulding's (Jarrod Ross) biological parents if Alan Spaulding (Christopher Bernau) signed his new will the next morning.

Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1983: On The Young and the Restless, in a truly heartbreaking scene, Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) cradled his fiancée, Cindy Lake (DeAnna Robbins) in his arms as she died. In reporting this event at the time, soap columnist Tony Rizzo wrote in Soap Opera Digest: Like actor, Joe Taylor (mob boss, Tony DiSalvo), "Deanna Robbins who played Cindy on Y&R was also signed to a contract after being brought in to play a limited role. However, when Tony's storyline ended, it also spelled the end of her storyline, which leaves Paul free to move on to other things and romances. After all, could a wholesome, All-American guy find true love and happiness with a reformed prostitute? Not too often in soapland. In the end, Cindy proved that hookers have a heart of gold, as she threw herself in front of the bullet that was intended for her one true love. Their tearful final scenes were beautiful."

Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

1986: Ilene Kristen returned to the role of Delia Reid Ryan on Ryan's Hope for the third and final time.

1988: Tamlyn Tomita aired for the final time on Santa Barbara as Ming Li. Ming Li admits to Cain Garver (Scott Jaeck) that she's not his daughter.

2001: Actress Gretchen Oehler, who played Vivien Gorrow on both Another World and Texas, died at age 57.

2002: Former As the World Turns star Dennis Cooney died at age 63. He played Jay Stallings from 1973 to 1980.

2009: On General Hospital, Edward Quartermaine (John Ingle) passed out at the wheel of his car which quickly approached the carnival.

2011: Actress Mary Fickett died at age 83. Her longest running soap role was Ruth Martin in All My Children. Her other daytime characters included Sally (and later Katherine) in The Edge of Night, Ruth in The Inner Flame and Miss Long in Young Doctor Malone. She also played Liz in The Nurses.